Display carton



July 25, 1967 o. P. EBELHARDT DISPLAY CARTON 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 29. 1964 FIG.2

FIG.5

FIG.4

' INVENTOR.

DAVID e EBELHA DT 70% 1 ATTO RN EY July 25, 1967 D. P. EBELHARDT 3,332,543

DISPLAY CARTON Filed Sept. 29, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 50 FIG; 8

INVENTOR. DAVID P. EBELHARDT ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,332,543 DISPLAY CARTON David P. Ebelhardt, Highland Park, Ill., assignor to The Mead Corporation, a corporation of Ohio Filed Sept. 29, 1964, Ser; No. 400,078 Claims. (Cl. 206-44) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The disclosed invention constitutes a display carton formed from a five panel blank in which the sixth or bottom panel of the finished carton is struck from the main panel of the blank and bodily transferred to the opposite or bottom wall to which it is afiixed on one side edge by a securing panel 14 to which it is secured in face contacting relation along one edge and by a fastening panel 12 which is foldably joined along a fold line 13 to the opposite side edge of the transfer panel, the fastening panel being secured in fiat face contacting relation to a side wall 2 of the carton. Preferably the ends of the transfer panel are secured to end flaps 7 and 8 by reinforcing tabs 24 and 25. According to a modification of the invention a pair of transfer panels may be employed.

This invention relates to display cartons and more particularly to cartons of the type wherein a six-sided container is formed from a basic blank having five panels and wherein one side of the finished carton is completely struck from one or more of the main panels of the blank and shifted transversely and secured in place so as to complete the six sides of the blank.

Display cartons are known in which one side of a sixsided carton is formed from material struck from one or more panels of a five paneled blank. Ordinarily in such cartons it is necessary in the folding and gluing of the blank to arrange the various elements so that the portion struck out from a part of the blank is directly opposite from the part of the finished carton to which it is to be transferred. In order to accomplish this result in known cartons it is necessary to form the side walls of the carton with fold lines and to collapse the blank along such fold lines.

Known display cartons of the type referred to are objectionable because the fold lines along the side walls tend to weaken the finished carton and also because such cartons utilize 'an excessive amount of material and do not afford substantial reinforcement of the finished product.

A principal object of this invention is to provide an improved display carton wherein one wall of the carton is formed by a transfer panel struck from one or more remaining panels of the blank and wherein such transfer panel is moved transversely with respect to the panels from which it is cut and thereby to effect a substantial saving in material and simultaneously to eliminate undesired fold lines in the side walls of the finished carton.

Another object of this invention is the provision of an improved display carton wherein various areas are struck from the side and end walls of the Wall panels of a unitary blank and wherein such areas are utilized as reinforcing panels thereby to add substantially to the strength and sturdiness of the finished carton when arranged in setup condition.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank from which a display carton is formed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

3,332,543 Patented July 25, 1967 "ice FIG. 2 is a view of the blank depicted in FIG. 1 after the folding and gluing operation whereby a collapsed carton is formed from the blank of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the arrangement depicted in FIG. 2 and showing the carrier in a partially setup condition;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the carrier shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 with the parts in partially setup condition;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the carrier shown in FIG. 4 but with the end portions of the carrier shown closed and in fully setup completed condition;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a modification of the invention and is generally similar to FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a view of the modification depicted in FIG. 6 and which generally corresponds to the collapsed condition depicted in FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is an end view of the carrier in tubular partially setup condition without the end portion completely closed;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the carrier shown when setup in tubular form but with the ends open; and in which FIG. 10 is a view of a completed carrier formed from the blank depicted in FIG. 6.

With reference to FIG. 1, the numeral 1 is used to designate the main panel While the numerals 2 and 3 are used to designate side panels foldably joined respectively to the main panel 1 along fold lines 4 and 5. End panels 6 and 7 are foldably joined to the end edges of the main panel 1 along fold lines 8 and 9 respectively.

Struck from the main panel 1 and in part from side panel 3 is a transfer panel 10. Transfer panel 10 is held in the position shown in FIG. 1 by a plurality of nicks designated by the numeral 11. A fastening panel 12 is fold ably joined along a fold line 13 to an edge of transfer panel 10. Similarly, a securing panel 14 is foldably joined to the edge 15 of side panel 3. Corner flaps 16 and 17 are foldably joined to the ends of side panel 2 along fold lines 18 and 19 respectively. Similarly corner flap 20 is foldably joined along the fold line 21 to one end of side panel 3 while a similar corner flap 22 is foldably joined along fold line 23 to the other end of side wall 3.

For the purpose of aifording added reinforcement to the finished carton, a pair of reinforcing panels 24 and 25 are struck out respectively from the end panels 6 and 7 and are foldably joined respectively to the transfer panel 10 along fold lines 26 and 27.

In order to fold and glue the blank depicted in FIG. 1 into the form shown in FIG. 2, glue is applied to the underneath surface of securing panel 14 and that panel is folded along line 15 underneath the side panel 3 and affixed to the right hand edge of transfer panel 10. Simultaneously glue is applied to the underneath surface of side panel 2 and that panel then is folded underneath main panel 1 along fold line 4 so that its left hand edge is aflixed to the underneath surface of fastening panel 12. Fold line 13 is spaced from the adjacent side edge of main panel 1 by a distance corresponding to the height of side wall 2. When so glued and folded the collapsed carton then appears as depicted in FIG. 2.

In order to convert the collapsed carton as depicted in FIG. 2 to the open ended tubular Wrapper type carton as depicted in FIG. 4 it is simply necessary to break the nicks 11 and to hold the transfer panel 10 in a fixed position while the main panel 1 is moved toward the right. Such movement of main panel 1 causes the side panels 1 and 3 to swing in a clockwise direction about the fold lines 13 and 15. The carton when so manipulated then appears as depicted in FIG. 4.

Of course it will be understood that as the collapsed carton is folded from its flat condition depicted in FIG. 2 to its upright tubular condition as depicted in FIG. 4, it will occupy the intermediate position as depicted in FIG. 3.

Once the carton is manipulated to the position depicted in FIG. 4, it can readily be loaded from the end and is particularly suitable, for example, for packaging such items as paper napkins and the like. It is apparent from FIG. 4 that a clear and unobstructed view of a substantial portion of the contents of the carton can be had through the main panel 1 and side panel 3 due to the fact that the transfer panel 10 has been removed and transferred to the opposite portion of the carrier to form a main part of the bottom part of the carrier. During the setting up operation the transfer panel 10 and main panel 1 are moved in a sidewise direction relative to each other as viewed from the end of the carrier and as shown in FIG. 3. It is this sidewise motion of the transfer panel 10 relative to main panel 1 which eliminates the necessity for forming fold lines in the side panels 2 and 3 as was characteristic of prior practice. A par ticular construction according to this invention also permits the fastening panel 12 to be struck out of the main panel 1 if desired. It will be understood however that the fastening panel 12 could take the form of a panel which is foldably joined to the bottom edge of side wall 2 and which then would be affixed by glue or otherwise along the edge 13 of transfer panel 10.

After the wrapper as depicted in FIG. 4 is loaded, the package may be closed by simply folding the corner flaps 17 and 22 inwardly along their respective fold lines 19 and 23 while the reinforcing panel 24 is folded upwardly along its fold line 26. Panel 24 preferably is affixed by glue or otherwise to corner flap 17. Thereafter end panel 6 is folded downwardly along the fold line 8 and the areas thereof which are in contact with corner flaps 17 and 22 are afiixed by glue or otherwise to these corner flaps, Thereafter the end of the carton appears as depicted in FIG. 5. Of course the other end of the carton is similarly closed by simply folding the corner flaps 16 and 20 inwardly along their respective fold lines 18 and 21 while the reinforcing panel 25 is folded upwardly along the fold line 27 and the corner flap 16 is glued or otherwise secured to the reinforcing panel 25. Thereafter the end panel 7 is folded downwardly along fold line 9 and securely affixed to corner flaps 16 and 20. The carton then appears in completed form as depicted in FIG. 5.

Ordinarily in this type of carton, a transparent over- Wrap of some sort is securely affixed about the carton in finished form as shown in FIG. if desired.

From the description thus far it is apparent that the sidewise motion of the transfer panel not only effects economy of material but allows the reinforcing panels 24 and 25 to be struck from the end panels 6 and 7 and thereafter due to the transverse motion of panel 10 and associated reinforcing panels enables a secure junction to be formed between the reinforcing panels 24 and 25 and the adjacent corner flaps. In this way the carton is rendered strong and durable with a minimum of material being required. Furthermore, it is apparent that there is no necessity to form the side panels 2 and 3 with medial transverse fold lines and by this feature of the invention added strength is provided.

The modification of the invention depicted in FIGS. 6-l0 differs from the arrangement of FIGS. l-6 primarily in that the transfer panels are taken entirely from the main panel without any reinforcing panels being taken from the end panels. In addition, an area is disposed between the two transfer panels which affords added strength to the main panel.

With reference to FIG. 6 the mainpanel is designated by the numeral 28 while the two transfer panels are designated respectively by the numerals 29 and 30. Transfor panel 29 is afiixed in position within the main panel 28 by a plurality of nicks 31 while the transfer panel 30 is afiixed in main panel 28 by a plurality of nicks 32. Cutout area 33 is formed along one edge of the transfer panel 29 while a similar cutout area 34 is struck from the main panel 28 along an edge of transfer panel 30. Side panel 35 is afoldably joined to main panel 28 along fold line 36 while side panel 37 is foldably joined to main panel 23 along fold line 38. Securing panel 39 is foldably joined to side panel 37 along fold line 40 while a somewhat wider securing panel 41 is foldably joined to side panel 35 along fold line 42.

For the purpose of forming end closures for the carton, an end panel 43 is foldably joined along fold line 44 to main panel 28 while a similar end panel 45 is foldably joined along fold line 46 to main panel 28. Flap panel 47 is foldably joined to end panel 43 along fold line 48 and a similar flap panel 49 is foldably joined to end panel 45 along fold line 50.

For the purpose of securing the corners of the carton, an end flap 51 is foldably joined along fold line 52 to side panel 35 while a similar end panel 53 is foldably joined to the other end of side panel 35 along fold line 54. In similar fashion corner flap 55 is foldably joined along fold line 56 to one end of side panel 37 while a similar corner flap 57 is foldably joined along fold line 58 to the other end of side panel 37. a

In order to form the collapsed carton as depicted in FIG. 7 from the blank depicted in FIG. 6, it is simply necessary to affix glue to the underneath surface of the securing panel 39 and to the left hand edge of the underneath surface of securing panel 41. Thereafter side panel 37 together with corner flaps 55, 57 and securing panel 39 are all swung underneath main panel 28 along fold line 38 and the securing panel 39is secured to the right hand edges of transfer panels 29 and 30. In like fashion, securing panel 41 is folded along fold line 42 underneath the side panel 35 and transfer panels 29 and 30 and the edge of securing panel 41 is aflixed to the left hand edges of transfer panels 29 and 30.

In order to set up the carrier as depicted in FIG. 7 so that it occupies the condition depicted in FIG. 9, it is simply necessary to press downwardly on the transfer panels 29 and 30 and thereby to break the nicks 31 and 32. Thereafter, the main panel 28 is swung upwardly and toward the left so that during an intermediate phase of this operation the various panels occupy the positions as depicted in FIG. 8. Further movement toward the left of main panel 28 from the position depicted in FIG. 8 causes the various parts toassume the open-ended tubular form depicted in FIG. 9.

With the parts occupying the position indicated in FIG. 9, the carton may be loaded from either end as will be obvious.

After being loaded the ends may be closed by simply swinging the corner flaps 53 and 57 inwardly along their fold lines 54 and 58 and applying glue in an appropriate manner and thereafter by swinging the end panel 45 downwardly along fold line 46 and manipulating the securing panel 49 underneath the bottom of the carrier 28 and aflixing the securing panel 49 by glue or otherwise to the main panel 28. The other end of the carton is closed in like fashion by simply swinging the end panels 51 and 55 inwardly and the end panel 43 downwardly and securing flap 47 underneath and into flat face contacting engagement with the ends of the securing panels 39 and 41 and with the edge of the transfer panel 29. Of course these closure elements may be afiixed in position by glue or otherwise as desired; When so closed the completed carton appears as depicted in FIG. 10. Of course if desired a transparent overwrap may be disposed about the completed package of FIG. 10.

From the above description it is apparent that the portion of main panel 28 which is disposed in the blank between transfer panels 29 and 30 adds tensile strength to main panel 28 and thus tends to prevent the side panels 35 and 37 from bowing apart due to the weight of the contents or due to the weight of items stacked thereon. Furthermore, the fact that transfer panels 29 and 30 are moved in a transverse direction as depicted in the intermediate position of FIG. 8 eliminates the necessity for forming collapsible fold lines in the side panels 35 and 37 and in end panels 43 and 45. Furthermore, substantial economy of material is effected and the resulting carrier is reinforced by the end closure elements as well as by the main central part of the main panel.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, the invention is not limited thereto and it is intended in the appended claims to cover all such changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A display carton comprising a main panel, a pair of side panels foldably joined to opposite side edges respectively of said main panel, a transfer panel struck out of said main panel, a securing panel foldably joined to the edge of one of said side panels remote from said main panel and afiixed in flat face contacting relation to a part of said transfer panel, and means including a fastening panel foldably joined to said transfer panel and aflixed in flat face contacting relation to the other side panel to form a foldable connection between the other of said side panels and said transfer panel.

2. A display carton according to claim 1 wherein said fastening panel is struck out of said main panel and foldably joined to said transfer panel along -a fold line spectively and foldably joined the adjacent edges of said transfer panel and aflixed in flat parallel relation to said end panels respectively.

5. A display carton according to claim 1 wherein a pair of transfer panels are struck out of said main panel and wherein the area of said main panel remaining between the transfer panels constitutes a strengthening st-rut for aiding in preventing said side panels from spreading apart.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,152,0{79 3/1939 Mott 20645.12 2,435,135 1/1948 Franck 2'0644 3,166,229 1/1965 Sherman et al 206-44 X 3,186,622 6/1965 Palmer 22927 LOUIS G. MANCENE, Primary Examiner. 

1. A DISPLAY CARTON COMPRISING A MAIN PANEL, A PAIR OF SIDE PANELS FOLDABLY JOINED TO OPPOSITE SIDE EDGES RESPECTIVELY OF SAID MAIN PANEL, A TRANSFER PANEL STRUCK OUT OF SAID MAIN PANEL, A SECURING PANEL FOLDABLY JOINED TO THE EDGE OF ONE OF SAID SIDE PANELS REMOTE FROM SAID MAIN PANEL AND AFFIXED IN FLAT FACE CONTACTING RELATION TO A PART OF SAID TRANSFER PANEL, AND MEANS INCLUDING A FASTENING PANEL FOLDABLY JOINED TO SAID TRANSFER PANEL AND AFFIXED IN FLAT FACE CONTACTING RELATION TO THE OTHER SIDE PANEL TO FORM A FOLDABLE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE OTHER OF SAID SIDE PANELS AND SAID TRANSFER PANEL. 